Dengue death: Fortis booked for negligence

The case relates to the death of a 7-year-old girl, who was admitted in September to the Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurgaon. The state plans to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the hospital for negligence that led to the patient's death, the minister stated in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

The above action has been taken keeping in view the report of the Committee that has found irregularities in functioning of the hospital administration. A major controversy had erupted after the girl's family was charged Rs 16 lakh for the treatment.

"Agar doosre simple bhaasha mein maana jaaye, toh it is not a death, it is a murder (In simple language, it is not a death, but a murder)", he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Fortis group had issued a statement claiming that they had not received a copy of the inquiry committee's report. Her condition worsened to "dengue shock syndrome" and she was moved to the ventilator. When she died, the hospital handed the victim's family a bill of Rs 18 lakh including charges for medicines, 660 syringes and 2,700 gloves.

The Minister said that the Fortis Hospital has not only violated the norms of IMA and MCI, but also ignored the protocol of medical treatment. Apart from this, the hospital has carried out platelets transfusion for 25 times and bill has been overcharged in this practice.

The Gurugram civil surgeon has also suspended the licensee of the blood bank at the hospital and served the notice to the management for the alleged violation of Indian Epidemics Act as they had not informed the district health officials about dengue cases at the hospital including that of Adya. In addition, Haryana Urban Development Authority will also be requested to explore the possibilities for cancellation of lease of land given to the hospital.

He also that the hospital is required to provide healthcare at cheaper rates to 20% of its customers drawn from the economically weaker sections according to an agreement it has with the government.

Adya Singh was admitted to the Fortis Hospital on August 31 after she was diagnosed with dengue. The issue grabbed national headlines over two weeks ago when a tweet about their allegations went viral and caused union health ministry to direct the Haryana government to probe the matter.